Gutter system

ABSTRACT

The present gutter and gutter system provides a gutter that is capable of draining water at a higher rate than traditional gutters. The gutter also has good structural integrity and is able to accommodate weight loads that would otherwise damage the gutter system. The gutter includes a vertical back wall and a front wall depending from the bottom edge of the back wall, the front wall being at an acute angle from the back wall and defining a V shaped trough having an open top therebetween. The gutter systems comprises the gutter, gutter hangers or gutter covers and a spout.

FIELD

The present invention relates to the field of rain gutters or evestroughs and gutter systems, and in particular to improvements to eavestrough and gutter systems.

BACKGROUND

Gutter systems have been the principle means by which water and debrissuspended in or by the water, resulting from various weather conditionssuch as rain, snow, and sleet, is carried off the roof of a building orsimilar structure. The water flows off the slanted portion of a roof andtypically enters a trough which is fitted along this horizontalperimeter of the roof (i.e., the fascia); this trough is commonly knownas the “gutter”. This gutter collects the water and debris and follows asmall slope of the gutter toward a spout, and eventually out through adownspout. Gutters may be fastened to the fascia directly, or using analternative attachment means, such as gutter hangers.

Downspouts are typically attached to the gutters through a spout in thegutter, at the lowest point of the slopped gutter. Spouts are positionsabove downspouts, which are positioned vertically to the horizontalgutter and travel the height of the building to ground level where thewater and debris can exit the system on the ground or into a perimeterdrainage system.

In addition to the actual gutter, spout, and downspout, limitedimprovements have been made to the gutter system in general. One of themost widely used improvements to a traditional gutter has been gutterguards, or covers. These covers allow rain and minute debris to enterthe gutter system while preventing larger debris from entering andclogging the gutter system.

Traditionally gutters have been designed with two different generalprofiles. They are either based on a half round piece of pipe or arectangular base shape. These two systems have been in place with slightmodifications for over 100 years.

Traditional “half round” gutters consist of a smooth “C” shape in orderto flow water and debris at a higher volume and allowing for easiermaintenance in an open trough form. Traditional rectangularcross-section gutters consist of rear, bottom and front walls forming atrough therebetween. The most popular gutters in North America is aK-style gutter which has a generally rectangular cross section but witha front wall which is aesthetically curved. Canadian Pat. No. 2,723,499discloses a K style gutter.

Traditional gutters suffer from the inability to drain water at asufficient rate. Gutters are generally installed with a very smalldownward incline towards the downspout to assist with water flow. Duringthe final stages of draining water, traditional gutters retain water,which slowly drains away over a long period of time. These traditionalgutters are susceptible to weight loads from snow, sleet, wildlife,maintenance procedures, and the like, imposed upon the gutters. Theweight load may distort the structural integrity, or even fracture thegutter. Such damage may prevent the gutter from properly draining wateraway from the roof.

Traditional spouts may not be able to adequately drain water at asufficient rate. When large amounts of water are run into the gutters,if the spout prevents sufficient water drainage flow, the water canbuild up in the gutter and overflow. This prevents the gutters fromperforming their drainage function and further weight loads may beplaced on the gutter system. Traditional spouts also do not easilydissipate debris that may accumulate within the gutter system. Such abuildup of debris may result in a clog of the spout, preventing waterfrom running through the spout into the downspout, and ultimately maycreate water retention within gutter system or an overflow of water.

The gutter cover as described above has been implemented into guttersystems in order to prevent larger debris such as leaves, twigs, nests,etc. from collecting within the gutter and flowing towards the spout. Asdescribed above, if large debris collects at the spout, it may preventproper drainage of water through the spout into the downspout and awayfrom the roof. Although these covers have reduced the amount of debristhat may clog up the gutter system, smaller debris can move through thegutter cover apertures into the gutter to collect. The gutter coversalso create a means by which a weight load can accumulate on the gutter,which may result in the damage as described above. Canadian Pat. No.2,723,499 discloses a gutter guard for protecting a gutter.

Therefore there is a need for a gutter system that is not subject to oneor more of the limitations of the prior art.

This background information is provided to reveal information believedby the applicant to be of possible relevance to the present invention.No admission is necessarily intended, nor should be construed, that anyof the preceding information constitutes prior art against the presentinvention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a gutter comprising avertical back wall and a front wall depending from the bottom edge ofthe back wall. The front wall has an acute angle from the back wall anddefines a V shaped trough with an open top.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provideda gutter system comprising a gutter, a gutter cover and a spout. Thegutter having a vertical back wall and a front wall depending from thebottom edge of the back wall. The front wall being at an acute anglefrom the back wall and defining a V shaped trough having an open top.The front wall having a least one aperture to drain water out of thegutter. The gutter cover extends over opening of the gutter andcomprises a plurality of apertures. The gutter cover engages the backand front walls of the gutter. The spout coupled to the gutter forfluidly coupling the gutter to a downspout.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a gutter system comprising a gutter, a plurality of gutterhangers and a spout. The gutter comprises a vertical back wall and afront wall depending from the bottom edge of the back wall. The frontwall being at an acute angle from the back wall and defining a V shapedtrough having an open top. The front wall having a least one aperture todrain water out of the gutter. The system including a plurality ofgutter hangers for engaging the back and front walls of the gutter. Thespout is coupled to the gutter for fluidly coupling the gutter to adownspout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Embodiments of the present invention will be better understood inconnection with the following Figures, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a profile view of the shape of the gutter inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a profile shape and perspective shape view ofthe gutter hanger in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective front view of the gutter in accordancewith embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4A illustrates an interior view of the gutter and cutout inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4B illustrates a perspective view of the spout in accordance withembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a side profile view of the gutter system inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a profile view of gutter system and that of atraditional regular gutter, and how forces applied to those gutters aredistributed in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of the gutter cover in accordancewith embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used herein, the term “about” and “approximately” refers to a +/−10%variation from the nominal value. It is to be understood that such avariation is always included in a given value provided herein, whetheror not it is specifically referred to.

The term “substantially” means an amount of at least generally about80%, alternatively about 90%, or alternatively about 99%.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this invention belongs.

System Overview/Method Overview

The present gutter system provides a gutter that is capable of drainingwater at a higher rate than traditional gutters. The gutter alsoprovides for structural integrity of the gutter, which is able toaccommodate weight loads that would otherwise damage the gutter system.The gutter system also utilizes either gutter hangers as an attachmentmeans for the gutter to the structure upon which the gutter system hasbeen installed. The gutter system may also include a gutter coverportion that is capable of preventing debris from entering into thegutter. The gutter hanger and gutter cover may be combined into a singlemechanism, which may also increase the structural integrity of thegutter system. The gutter system may also accommodate a spout, whichallows water to drain out of the gutter and into a downspout away fromthe roof of the structure.

In one embodiment, the gutter system is comprised of at least onegutter, which includes a back gutter wall, a triangular or curved lowergutter wall, and a front gutter wall, the walls defining a trough havinga top therebetween.

In another embodiment, it is contemplated that the front gutter wall maycomprise a portion that is aesthetically curved in a manner such as butnot limited to the K-style gutter front wall aesthetic curve asdescribed above.

In one embodiment, the at least one gutter may be attached to the fasciaof the structure adjacent to the roof of the structure, for the purposesof receiving water collected from the roof. This can be accomplishedusing conventional techniques which are in and of themselves known.

In another embodiment, the at least one gutter hanger may attach the atleast one gutter to the fascia located under the roof line of astructure. The at least one gutter hanger is comprised of a back hangerwall, an inverted u-shape portion, sized and arranged to fit over anupper marginal portion of the back gutter wall, a front hanger wall, aplanar surface extending across the trough to an upwardly extendingportion resembling a reverse c-shape, which is designed to fit within arecess. It is further contemplated that the planar surface may be befurther comprised of at least one embossed protrusion to add strengthacross the planar surface, and at least one side wing folded down to addstrength to the planar surface. The upper marginal portion of hangerfront wall that rests against the trough side of the back gutter wall,may facilitate a v-shaped recess, that accommodates a v-shapedprotrusion sized and arranged to fit the v-shaped recess, located on theupper marginal portion of the back gutter wall, which allows the gutterhanger to snap into the gutter.

In one embodiment, the at least one gutter hanger may be further securedthrough the at least one gutter to the fascia using another attachmentmeans such as but not limited to a screw, nail, bolt, and the like.

In another embodiment, it is contemplated that the at least one gutterhanger may be attached by one end, to the fascia as described above, aswell as having the other end attached to the at least one upper marginaledge of the at least one front gutter wall, using the recess situated onthe at least one front gutter wall as described below, and the hangerupwardly extending portion, sized and arranged to fit into the recess.

It is contemplated that the attachment of the at least one gutter hangerto the at least one upper marginal edge of the at least one front gutterwall may be facilitated by a recess formed by a top portion extendinginwardly from an upper marginal edge of the front gutter wall, and adownwardly extending flange from a distal end of the top portion, thefront gutter wall, top portion, and flange defining a recesstherebetween.

In another embodiment, it is contemplated that at least one portion ofthe gutter may also have a top wall portion extending inwardly from anupper marginal edge of the front gutter wall, to the upper marginal edgeof the back gutter wall, the top wall comprising a gutter cover havingan elongated configuration with a central portion, first and secondlongitudinally extending opposed sides located on either side of thecentral portion, a plurality of apertures extending through the centralportion, the first side of the cover having an upwardly extendingportion designed to fit within a recess, and the second side of thecover having an inverted u-shaped portion designed to fit over an uppermarginal end of the back wall of the gutter as described above.

In one embodiment, it is contemplated that the at least one gutter covermay include appropriately sized aperture and placement to facilitateadequate drainage of water into the gutter through the gutter cover,while preventing debris from entering into the gutter.

In another configuration, the at least one gutter hanger and the atleast one gutter cover may be combined into one mechanism that covers atleast one portion of the at least one gutter, while also attaching theat least one gutter to the fascia.

In another embodiment, it is contemplated that the portion of the gutterhanger or gutter cover designed to fit within a recess on the uppermarginal end of the front wall of the gutter, may also form a mode ofattachment for a gutter/hanger mechanism as described above.

In one embodiment, the at least one gutter may communicate with at leastone spout which can drain water away from the at least one gutter. It isunderstood that for most applications, a plurality of gutter segmentsand spouts will be employed to effectively drain water from the roof ofthe structure.

In one embodiment, the spout has a back spout side, which extendslongitudinally from a first spout end to a second spout end, a curvedmiddle spout portion that is sized and arranged to accommodate a backgutter wall, a curved lower gutter wall, and a front gutter wall, whichextends from the back spout side to the front spout side, and a frontspout side, which also extends longitudinally from a first spout end toa second spout end. It is also contemplated that a back spout side mayhave a top spout flange extending inwardly from an upper marginal edgeof the back spout side, towards the curved middle spout portion.

In another embodiment, the spout will receive water from a gutter cutoutlocated on the marginal bottom half of the front gutter wall, extendingoutwardly from an lower marginal edge of the front gutter wall, to themarginal middle of the front gutter wall, and longitudinally extendingoutwardly from marginally before a first spout end to marginally beforea second spout end. It is further contemplated that this cutout may haveflanges, extending from at least one edge of the gutter cutout towardsthe spout. These flanges may be manipulated as would be understoodwithin the art to improve their water drainage properties, to furtherenhance the attachment of the spout to the gutter, and the like.

It is contemplated that in one embodiment, the back spout side may beattached to the fascia of the structure using techniques as contemplatedabove so that it may communicate with the gutter for the purposes ofreceiving water from the gutter, for discharge from the bottom of thedownspout.

In one embodiment, the back spout side may be attached to the fasciaprior to the remainder of the other components that make up the guttersystem.

In another embodiment, it is contemplated that the at least one spoutmay mate with at least one downspout to further drain water away fromthe gutter. It is understood that for most applications, a plurality ofgutter segments and downspouts will be employed to effectively drainwater from the roof of the structure.

In another embodiment, it is contemplated that a downspout is coupledwith the gutter by a cooperating combination of a top portion of a spoutassociated with the gutter and a bottom portion of the spout associatedwith the downspout.

In one embodiment, the back gutter wall may sit in a configuration thatis flat against the fascia. This configuration will provide an angledfront gutter wall, which may further facilitate the attachment of the atleast one gutter hanger, gutter cover, or gutter hanger/cover mechanism.In this configuration, the recess situated on the upper marginal edge ofthe at least one front gutter wall may better accommodate the first sideof the hanger/cover mechanism having an upwardly extending portiondesigned to fit within a recess. This configuration may provide anenclosed substantially triangular gutter system, also referred to as av-shaped gutter.

In one embodiment, the v-shaped gutter will allow for an entire side ofthe gutter to rest along the fascia. By eliminating space between thegutter and the fascia, support for a weight load that is imposed uponthe gutter will be transferred from the gutter to the fascia. The fasciamay be more structurally sound and better able to withstand the forcesimposed by a weight load. The V-shaped gutter is thus able to providegreater structural integrity to the gutter system for supporting largeweight loads from factors such as but not limited to debris, wildlife,snow and the like.

In another embodiment, the spout as provided is able to adequately drainwater at an improved rate. This may prevent the over flow of water fromthe gutter during times when high amounts of water are run through thegutter system. It may also reduce the amount of weight load caused byaccumulated water that can build up on gutter systems that do not drainwater at this improved rate.

In another embodiment, the spout as provided will allow for greaterpassage of debris out of the trough and out through the spout. Bypreventing a buildup of debris within the trough and at the spout of thegutter system, the gutter system is able to avoid overflow and weightloads that can occur when debris builds up in the system, and preventswater from exiting the system through the spout.

In one embodiment, the structural integrity of the gutter system isimproved by including the v-shaped gutter configuration in the guttersystem. This configuration is a self supporting configuration that hasremoved unsupported elements of the gutter system. By removingunsupported portions of a gutter system commonly found within atraditional gutter system, which can result in gutter damage underweightload stress, the v-shaped gutter system as provided has improved weightloading capabilities.

It is contemplated that the gutter system as provided may be attached toany structure that supports a roof such as, but not limited to abuilding, permanent structure, temporary structure, and the like.

It is further contemplated that the gutter system as described may beformed of any suitable material, or combination of materials thereof,and could conveniently be formed of metallic, plastic, and likematerial.

It is also contemplated that the gutter system as described may bemanufactured by any suitable means such as but not limited to stamped,roll-formed, molded, and the like.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 3, at least one embodiment of the gutter 9is illustrated. The gutter 9 has a substantially triangular shape andcan include a substantially vertical back gutter wall 002, lower wall003, front gutter wall 004 and means of retaining a hanger or guttercover. The back wall 002 may include a protrusion 001 at its upperportion that would interact with a similar protrusion on a hanger orgutter cover to assist in retaining a back portion of a hanger or guttercover on the back wall 002 of the gutter. The front wall 004 includes atits upper portion means of retaining a front portion of a hanger orgutter cover including an upper marginal edge of front gutter wall 007,an inward extending top portion 008, a downwardly extending flange 005,and a recess 006. The lower wall 003 is curved or rounded. In anotherembodiment, the lower wall 003 ends in an acute angle. The front wall isset at an acute angle from the back wall 002. In one embodiment, theangle formed at the lower end of the gutter between the back wall 002and the front wall 007 is less than 50 degree. In one embodiment, theangle formed at the lower end of the gutter between the back wall 002and the front wall 007 is approximately 50 degree. In one embodiment,the angle formed between the back wall 002 and the front wall 007 isapproximately 45 degree. In one embodiment, the angle formed between theback wall 002 and the front wall 007 is approximately 40 degree. In oneembodiment, the angle formed between the back wall 002 and the frontwall 007 is approximately 35 degree.

With reference to FIG. 4A there is shown at portion of a piece of gutter009 showing a cutout 020 for communication with the spout 400 anddownspout (not shown) for flow of water from the gutter to thedownspout. In this embodiment, the cutout 020 is part of a portion ofthe front wall 007 of the gutter 009. In another embodiment, the cutout020 is part of a portion of the front wall 007 and a portion of thelower wall 003. In an embodiment, the cutout 020 measure approximately 4inches by 5 inches.

The cutout 020 may be formed by cutting along the depicted X-shapeddashed lines creating a series of four V-shaped sections that can bepushed towards the outside of the gutter.

With reference to FIG. 4B, an embodiment of the spout 400 is shown. Thespout 400 is sized and shaped to be coupled with the gutter 009 andcover the cutout 020. The spout is a box-like tunnel including a backportion 030, middle portions 033 and a front portion 034. The upperportion of the spout 400 defines an opening for fluid communication withgutter. The spout 400 also includes a lower portion defining an openingto communicate with a downspout (not shown). The spout 400 includes aback side 030 with a flange 35 projecting inwardly and downwardly forcoupling over the top of the back wall of the gutter 009. The upperportion of the sides of the spout are sized and shaped to receive aportion of the gutter.

With reference to FIG. 2, at least one embodiment of a gutter hanger 200is illustrated. The gutter hanger 200 includes a back hanger wall 012,an inverted u-shaped portion 010, a front hanger wall 014, a planarsurface 017, an upwardly extending portion 013, an embossed protrusion015, a side wing 016, and a v-shaped protrusion 011

With reference to FIG. 7, an embodiment of a gutter cover 300 is shown.The gutter cover 300 is includes a central portion 070 with a pluralityof apertures 073, a first side 071 with an upwardly extending portion074 designed to fit a recess 006 at the top of the front wall 004 of thegutter 009 and a second side 072 that will couple with the top back side002 of the gutter 009. In one embodiment, the second side 072 iscomprises an inverted u-shaped portion 075 that fits over the top of theback wall 002 of the gutter 009. The U-shaped portion 077 may includeholes to facilitate the drilling of screws, nails or the like, throughthe U-shaped portion and coupled top portion of the back wall 002 of thegutter 009.

With reference to FIG. 5, an embodiment of the gutter system 100 coupledto the fascia of a building is illustrated. The gutter system 100illustrated includes a gutter 009, a spout 400 and multiple gutterhangers 200. Alternatively, instead of the multiple gutter hangers, thegutter system may include a gutter cover 300, The gutter 009, gutterhangers 200 (or gutter cover 300), and spout 400 are coupled together asdepicted in FIG. 5 and are attached to the fascia 041 of a structureusing screws 042 fixed into the fascia through the gutter 009, gutterhanger 200 (or gutter cover 300), and spout 400. In one embodiment, thespout 400 is simply coupled to the top of the back wall 002 via itsflange 035 and the spout is not affixed to the wall with the gutter 009,gutter hangers 200 (or gutter cover 300).

As shown in FIG. 5, rain enters the gutter 009 at its top opening. If agutter cover 300 is used instead of gutter hangers 200 the rain willenter the gutter 009 via the apertures 73 of the gutter cover 300. Thegutter 009 is installed on the structure 041 with a slight angledownwards towards the opening 020 so that the water flows towards theopening 020. The water enters the opening and is discharged in the spoutcoupled to the gutter 009. The spout will discharge into the downspout(not shown).

FIG. 6 illustrates the effect of weight load applied to the top distalend of the gutter (away from the wall). In this embodiment, forcesacting upon the gutter system 050 as contemplated, through weight loadupon the gutter and the like, are transferred from the gutter hanger 200or gutter cover 300, to the front gutter wall 055, through the curvedlower wall 056, to the back gutter wall 051. Forces 052 acting upon atraditional gutter system (K style), through weight load upon the gutterand the like are applied upon a gutter hanger 059, transferred to thefront gutter wall 057, and partially to the flat lower wall 058, butminimally to the back gutter wall 060. A traditional rectangular or Kstyle gutter under this stress is prone to deform 053.

EXPERIMENTAL EXAMPLE

Aspects of traditional gutter water draining properties were testedagainst water draining properties of the gutter system as provided. Anindustry standard 5 inch K style gutter (“5K gutter”), with 2.875 inches(″) drainage outlet, set to a 0.25″ gutter slope over 40 ft of gutterlength was set up to measure water draining properties. A 10 ft sectionwas filled to 2.125″ of water (22.5 litres), and capped at its drainageend. The cap was removed and the time required to drain the water wasrecorded. The 5k gutter consistently took just over 60 seconds to drainthe majority of the water within the gutter, after which time remainingwater remnant continued to drain out slowly.

Next, the V shaped gutter 900 as described hereinof the as provided wasset to a 0.25″ gutter slope over 40″ of gutter length to measure waterdraining properties. The drainage outlet is 4 by 5 inches. A 10 ftsection was filled to 2.125″ of water (40 litres), and capped at itsdrainage end. When the cap was removed, the provided shaped gutter 900consistently took approximately 35 to 40 seconds to drain the majorityof the water. The flow rate of the gutter system as provided was alsotested by recording the time required for 2 objects to traverse a lengthof 8 ft along the gutter and objected travelled faster in the V shapedgutter 900. These results outline the improved draining capabilities ofthe gutter system as provided.

It will be understood that the foregoing descriptions, specificexamples, and figures of the gutter system are intended to describeembodiments of the invention and are not intended to limit the inventionin any way.

It is obvious that the foregoing embodiments of the invention areexamples and can be varied in many ways. Such present or futurevariations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit andscope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obviousto one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scopeof the following claims.

We claim:
 1. A gutter comprising a vertical back wall and a front walldepending from the bottom edge of the back wall, said front wall beingat an acute angle from the back wall and defining a V shaped troughhaving an open top therebetween.
 2. The gutter of claim 1, furthercomprises a rounded lower wall between the back wall and the front wall.3. The gutter of claim 1, further comprises a C-shaped lower wallbetween the back wall and the front wall.
 4. The gutter of claim 1,wherein the acute angle between the back wall and the front wall isapproximately 50 degrees.
 5. The gutter of claim 1, wherein the acuteangle between the back wall and the front wall is less than 50 degrees.6. The gutter of claim 1, wherein the acute angle between the back walland the front wall is approximately 45 degrees.
 7. The gutter of claim1, wherein the acute angle between the back wall and the front wall isapproximately 40 degrees.
 8. The gutter of claim 1, further comprises anaperture in the front wall to drain water from the gutter.
 9. The gutterof claim 1, further comprises an aperture in the front wall and thelower wall to drain water from the gutter.
 10. The gutter of claim 9,wherein the aperture measures at least four inches in diameter.
 11. Thegutter of claim 9, wherein the aperture measures at least four inches byfive inches in diameter.
 12. A gutter system comprising: a guttercomprising a vertical back wall and a front wall depending from thebottom edge of the back wall, said front wall being at an acute anglefrom the back wall and defining a V shaped trough having an open toptherebetween, said front wall having a least one aperture to drain waterout of the gutter; a plurality of gutter hangers for engaging the backand front walls of the gutter; and a spout coupled to the gutter forfluidly coupling the gutter to a downspout.
 13. A gutter systemcomprising: a gutter comprising a vertical back wall and a front walldepending from the bottom edge of the back wall, said front wall beingat an acute angle from the back wall and defining a V shaped troughhaving an open top therebetween, said front wall having a least oneaperture to drain water out of the gutter; a gutter cover extending overopening of the gutter and comprising a plurality of apertures, saidgutter cover engaging the back and front walls of the gutter; and aspout coupled to the gutter for fluidly coupling the gutter to adownspout.